〉 Chapter 16—Dramatic Success at Antioch
Chapter 16—Dramatic Success at Antioch
This chapter is based on Acts 11:19-26; 13:1-3. (TT 83)
After the disciples had been driven from Jerusalem by persecution, the gospel message spread rapidly. Many small companies of believers were formed in important centers. Some disciples “traveled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word,” their labors usually confined to Hebrew and Greek Jews found in nearly all the cities of the world. (TT 83.1)
The gospel was gladly received in Antioch, the metropolis of Syria. Extensive commerce brought to the city many people of various nationalities. Antioch was favorably known for its healthful situation, beautiful surroundings, wealth, culture, and refinement. It had become a city of luxury and vice. (TT 83.2)
The gospel was publicly taught in Antioch by disciples from Cyprus and Cyrene. Their earnest labors were productive. “A great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.” (TT 83.3)
News of this came to the church in Jerusalem, and “they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch.” Barnabas saw the work that had already been accomplished, and he “was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.” Many were added to the believers there. As the work developed, Barnabas felt the need of help, and went to Tarsus to seek for Paul, who had been laboring in “the regions of Syria and Cilicia,” proclaiming “the faith which once he destroyed.” Galatians 1:21, 23. Barnabas persuaded him to return with him. (TT 83.4)
In the populous city of Antioch, Paul’s learning and zeal exerted a powerful influence, and he proved just the help that Barnabas needed. For a year the two labored unitedly, bringing to many a knowledge of the world’s Redeemer. (TT 84.1)
In Antioch the disciples were first called Christians. The name was given them because Christ was the theme of their preaching and their conversation. Continually they dwelt upon His teachings and miracles of healing. With quivering lips and tearful eyes they spoke of His betrayal, trial, and execution, the torture imposed on Him by His enemies, and the Godlike pity with which He had prayed for those who persecuted Him. His resurrection, ascension, and work as Mediator for fallen man were topics on which they rejoiced to dwell. Well might the heathen call them Christians! (TT 84.2)
God gave them the name of Christian, a royal name given to all who join themselves to Christ. Of this name James wrote later, “Do not rich men ... blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called?” James 2:6, 7. And Peter declared, “If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye.” 1 Peter 4:14. (TT 84.3)
Living in the midst of a people who seemed to care little for things of eternal value, the believers at Antioch sought to arrest the attention of the honest in heart. In their humble ministry in the various walks of life, they daily bore testimony of their faith in Christ. (TT 84.4)
It is in the order of God today that chosen workers of talent be stationed in important centers of population; it also is His purpose that church members living in these cities shall use their God-given talents in working for souls. Such workers will find that many who never could have been reached in any other way are ready to respond to intelligent personal effort. (TT 84.5)
God is calling on ministers, physicians, nurses, colporteurs, and other consecrated laymen of talent who know the Word of God and the power of His grace to consider the needs of the unwarned cities. Every agency must be set in operation, that present opportunities may be wisely improved. (TT 84.6)
Paul’s labors with Barnabas strengthened his conviction that the Lord had called him to work for the Gentile world. At his conversion the Lord had declared that he was to minister to the Gentiles, “to open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in Me.” Acts 26:18. The angel had said to Ananias, “He is a chosen vessel unto Me, to bear My name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel.” Acts 9:15. (TT 85.1)
Thus the Lord had given Paul his commission to enter the missionary field of the Gentile world, to make known “the mystery” which had been “kept secret since the world began” (Romans 16:25), “that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ by the gospel: whereof,” declares Paul, “I was made a minister... . Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ.” Ephesians 3:6-8. (TT 85.2)
Neither Paul nor Barnabas had as yet been formally ordained to gospel ministry, but God was about to entrust them with a difficult enterprise in which they would need every advantage that could be obtained through the church. (TT 85.3)
“Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen, ... and Saul. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’ Acts 13:1, 2, RSV. These apostles, solemnly dedicated to God by fasting and prayer and laying on of hands, were authorized not only to teach the truth but to perform the rite of baptism and to organize churches. (TT 85.4)
Proclaiming the gospel among the Gentiles was now to be prosecuted with vigor, and the church was to be strengthened by a great ingathering of souls. The apostles’ teaching concerning breaking down of “the middle wall of partition” (Ephesians 2:14) that had separated the Jewish and the Gentile world, would naturally subject them to the charge of heresy, and their authority as ministers of the gospel would be questioned by many believing Jews. In order that their work should be above challenge, God instructed the church to set them apart publicly to the work of the ministry, a recognition of their divine appointment to bear to the Gentiles the glad tidings of the gospel. (TT 86.1)
Both Paul and Barnabas had already received their commission from God Himself, and laying on of hands added no new qualification. It was an acknowledged form of designation to an appointed office. By it the seal of the church was set upon the work of God. (TT 86.2)
To the Jew this form was significant. When a father blessed his children, he laid his hands reverently on their heads. When an animal was devoted to sacrifice, the hand of the priest was laid on the head of the victim. When the ministers in Antioch laid their hands on Paul and Barnabas, by that action they asked God to bestow His blessing on the chosen apostles in their appointed work. (TT 86.3)
At a later date unwarrantable importance was attached to laying on of hands, as if a power came at once on those who received such ordination. But in the setting apart of these two apostles, there is no record that virtue was imparted by the mere laying on of hands. (TT 86.4)
Years before, when the divine purpose concerning Paul was first revealed to him, Paul was brought in contact with the newly organized church. Furthermore, the church at Damascus was not left in darkness as to the converted Pharisee. And now the Holy Spirit again laid on the church the work of ordaining Paul and his fellow laborer. (TT 86.5)
God has made His church a channel of light. He does not give to one of His servants an experience contrary to the experience of the church itself. Neither does He give one man a knowledge of His will for the entire church while the church is left in darkness. He places His servants in close connection with His church, that they may have less confidence in themselves and greater confidence in others whom He is leading. (TT 87.1)
Those constantly inclined toward individual independence seem unable to realize that independence of spirit is liable to lead the human agent to have too much confidence in himself, rather than to respect the counsel and judgment of his brethren, especially of those in the offices God has appointed for leadership. God has invested His church with special authority which no one can be justified in disregarding, for he who does this despises the voice of God. (TT 87.2)
It is Satan’s effort to separate such ones from those through whom God had built up and extended His work. For any worker in the Lord’s cause to pass these by and to think that his light must come through no other channel than directly from God is to place himself where he is liable to be deceived by the enemy and overthrown. The Lord has arranged that close relationship should be maintained by all believers; Christian shall be united to Christian and church to church, every agency subordinate to the Holy Spirit. All believers will be united in an organized effort to give to the world the glad tidings of the grace of God. (TT 87.3)
Paul regarded his ordination as marking a new epoch in his life. From this time he afterward dated the beginning of his apostleship. (TT 87.4)
While the light was shining brightly at Antioch, important work was continued by the apostles in Jerusalem. Every year, many Jews from all lands came to worship at the temple. Some of these fervent pilgrims were earnest students of the prophecies, longing for the advent of the Messiah. The apostles preached Christ with unflinching courage, though they knew they were placing their lives in jeopardy. Many converts to the faith were made, and these, returning home, scattered seeds of truth through all nations and among all classes. (TT 87.5)
Peter, James, and John felt confident that God had appointed them to preach Christ among their countrymen at home. Faithfully and wisely they testified of what they had seen and heard, appealing to the “more sure word of prophecy” (2 Peter 1:19) to persuade “the house of Israel ... that God hath made that same Jesus ... both Lord and Christ” (Acts 2:36). (TT 88.1)